TENALACH - The connection one has with nature

 The idea for this painting is:  Consume less - consume better.

 

 

 

We have bees and roses and both are proving difficult to maintain in a healthy condition. They are constantly threatened by viruses, bugs, mold and heat.

In the painting, Tenalach, I wanted to emphasize the fragile relationship we have with the land, sky, and water. The deep connection that allows us to hear the earth sing and to be one with nature.

To what shall I compare this life of ours?

Even before I can say,

It is like a lightening flash or a dewdrop.

It is no more. 

- Sengai

The mat floats on the rising water.

It is covered with purely decorative growth that will not sustain bees.

There is only one single surviving bee.

I Miss Earth Worms. Do You?

                                                            

Main story - understory - in a monoculture worms and bugs no longer exist.

Bees, fleas, worms, germs,

humans are but one part of the ecosystem.

We have become the impatient species. Too busy to let nature replenish itself and too puffed up with our own sense of importance to acknowledge our utter dependence on its generosity.

- David Suzuki

                                                        

   

                     I MISS EARTH WORMS. DO YOU?     

      

                 

Travelling around the world and Australia, we have seen various monocultures. Large expanses of a single crop. And while these are hugely efficient for crop production and harvesting, they have devastating environmental impacts.

I MISS EARTH WORMS. DO YOU?

In this painting the child/birds are eating processed food stored in small plastic containers. The mat is plastic. There is no diversity in the crop in the background. A monoculture. A system recognized to destroy biodiversity of creatures in the soil, including worms.

Silky smooth and brightly colored

Another FUN workshop saw a variety of expressive silk scarves being created. Some ladies declared themselves non-artistic prior to commencing . . . .I think what they have created is extremely beautiful and positively wearable.

Unblocking

Using the press. Lino, Mylar, and mono printing. . . . . . a good place to start.



First workshop for 2010. Mixing up the mediums to unblock and PLaY.



Stencils, watercolours and pen. Washes, glazes and mark making.


The studio was surrounded by swirling mist and the patter of rain. Beautiful


Mixed media is a process that I love. The experimentation and discovery.
I enjoy the suprises and exclamations of delight, as people unveil yet another unexpected outcome.

Thankyou to all the lovely ladies, who tolerated the 6am arrival of water tanks Saturday morning. . . . . . and the influx of bodies to share the BBQ breakfast.

Just in time

Rain, glorious God's juice.
We have enjoyed watching the luscious new growth and the animals that are benefiting from it.

Our new arrivals installed. Thank you to our Son, Arron and the friendly neighbours.

Below: Tanks arriving. Who would believe such a huge load could make it up our driveway.

Over the past few weeks we have been busy being earth movers, so that our new tanks will sit proud and straight on firm foundations.

At 6am the truck rounded the bend with the load. As per Murphy's law, it was the same weekend as we were enjoying the company of a group of ladies who were at the Roo, to do a mixed media workshop. I bet they weren't expecting tank maneuver's as part of the experimentation process.

No more buying God's juice. It will now be funnelled into our HUGE new tanks.
What a production was their arrival and installation. The neighbours rallied to our cause and enjoyed the fruits of their labours . . . . a BBQ breakfast with the wallabies.

We are now placing tree stumps around them, to stretch a wire, to grow a passion fruit vine, for the pavlova and cream. . . . . of course!

Work is slowly progressing for exhibition in 2010



After my illness i had to stop using oils and their additives. Ahhhhhh !
As a result I had to take the time to rediscover using acrylics, which I had previously delegated to the bottom of the heap . . . . as limited in their possibilities. For me, they always appeared to be thin in their application and lacked the lusciousness of oils, that I had grown accustomed to. . . . . .and loved !
They say necessity is the mother of all invention . . . . I may have to agree !!
Recent experimentation is slowly revealing some positive aspects of this medium. I have to admit that I am enjoying the process and will continue with the ' re-discovery'.

Three weeks of creativity...Bliss

Throughout June & July, Cameron and I were fortunate to share the Rusty Roo with numerous friends, family members and artists.
We are always facinated to see what everyone gets up to. All had a very enjoyable time experimenting, exploring and looking at the Roo through interested and connected eyes. It was facinating to see what everyone eventually decided to do. From tree markings, jewellery making,creating roads to no-where and rearranging the landscape. . . . it was all extremely creative. We always feel extremely blessed to be able to share such a magical place with so many.

Time to celebrate another extremely enjoyable day

As the evening starts to cool and the light takes on that expansive glow, you know it's time to put down what ever has occupied you throughout the day and move onto the front verandah, to share the evening sunset. . . . wine, laughter and the all abundant nibblies. Ahhhhhhhh! Yes!, life has a plethora of wonderful 'small joys'.